A staggering 400 million children have been impacted by school closures due to extreme weather events since 2022, with a significant portion of them facing displacement and hardship. This alarming statistic, highlighted by Save the Children, underscores the urgent need for global action to address climate change and prioritize the needs of children in disaster-prone regions.
Mumbai is experiencing heavy rainfall, leading to disruptions in transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced the closure of schools and colleges for Friday, July 26th. Several train services were cancelled due to waterlogging, and airlines advised passengers to allow extra travel time and check flight statuses due to delays and cancellations.
Heavy rainfall in Mumbai has caused widespread disruption, leading to school closures, suspended train services, flight disruptions, and waterlogged roads. The city is under an orange alert with heavy rainfall expected to continue until July 12. Authorities are urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Heavy rainfall in Mumbai has caused widespread disruptions, leading to school closures, flight delays and cancellations, and transportation chaos. The city is bracing for more rain as the Indian Meteorological Department forecasts continued moderate to heavy rainfall.
Bihar is facing an intense heatwave, leading to the closure of all educational institutions, including schools, coaching institutes, and anganwadi centers, until June 8, 2024. The decision was made after reports of students and teachers fainting due to extreme heat. The heatwave is expected to continue until June 8, with temperatures reaching as high as 48.2 degrees Celsius in some areas. Several other states in India are also experiencing heatwaves, leading to the early commencement of summer vacations for schools.
Due to the severe heatwave conditions in Delhi, the government has directed all private and government schools to close down immediately for summer vacations. This directive comes despite clear orders that all schools must close from May 11 to June 30 for the summer break. The government has observed that some schools, particularly government-aided and unaided recognized private schools, are still open and has advised them to close for the summer vacation.
In response to the severe heatwave impacting India, the state government of Uttar Pradesh has announced an extended summer break for schools. Starting from May 21, 2024, students will have a 41-day break until June 30, 2024. This decision prioritizes student safety and well-being amidst the rising temperatures.
Kenya has postponed the planned reopening of schools after heavy rains and floods have killed more than 200 people. President William Ruto cited the possibility of Cyclone Hidaya hitting the coastal areas and the rising water levels of dams and reservoirs. Schools will remain closed until the government announces new reopening dates. The floods have also displaced over 150,000 people, with some living in schools. The government has ordered people living near 178 dams and reservoirs to evacuate. The flooding has also affected neighboring countries such as Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
India’s Kerala state has closed all schools and colleges until Monday due to scorching temperatures. With most of India experiencing high heat, the weather department forecasts an unusually high number of heatwave days from April to June. Heatwave conditions are caused by a combination of fewer thunderstorms and an anti-cyclonic circulation near India’s southeastern coast. Authorities urge people to limit sun exposure and take precautions to prevent wildfires. While local media reports suggest heat-related deaths, official confirmation is pending.
As heat waves become more frequent and intense due to climate change, the debate intensifies over whether to keep schools open or closed during these extreme conditions. While keeping schools open during heat waves raises concerns about student health, the consequences of school closures are equally concerning, such as widening learning gaps between developed and developing countries, and making children more vulnerable to exploitation. The decision of whether to close or open schools during heat waves has become a global challenge, requiring careful consideration by education authorities and public health experts.
